Category Archives: Charleston Churches
On this cold snowy morning in Michigan I have Charleston and its world famous gardens on my mind.
Charleston Spring Reflection 24×60
In early April Charleston turns into a photographer’s paradise. The formal gardens on the plantations and the gated gardens in the Battery are in there spring bloom and all of Charleston has splashes of color everywhere.
Last night using Lightroom and Topaz software I transformed three images from 2012 into this colorful panoramic. I used Topaz software to bring out the colors and contrast from the RAW images and then used Lightroom to do it’s magic stitching the images into this 24×60 pano.
All RAW images have to be worked on to give you the colors that was there when you captured the image. This is one of the RAW images used to make the pano in Lightroom and then transformed using Topaz software.
Charleston garden RAW Image
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Labs | posted in Angel Oak, Ashley River, Audubon Swamp, Azaleas, Battery Park, Bonaventure Cemetery, Boneyard, Botany Bay, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Charleston's Gardens, Sheldon Church ruins
This beautiful city is known as the “Holy City” because of the abundance of churches on the city skyline. As they approached Charleston from the sea, the colonial sailors could see 20 church steeples. Charleston boasts over 400 places of worship of many different denominations throughout the city, religion is deeply embedded in this city’s rich culture.
This Steepled church in the historic Battery Park section of Charleston is one of my favorite to take clients to during the blue light hour.
Charleston Steeple – Battery Park
Charleston Photographic Workshop Tour
April 3 – April 7, 2016
$695/ Limited to 8 Students
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Labs | posted in Angel Oak, Ashley River, Audubon Swamp, Battery Park, Blue Light Hour, Boneyard, Botany Bay, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Charleston South Carolina, Depth of field, Edisto Beach, Nik software, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Labs
Angel Oak is one of my favorite Charleston locations and I am looking forward to seeing her again.
In the morning I am flying to Charleston to start shooting and do a little image scouting before the workshop starts.
Angel Oak- The Oldest tree east of the Mississippi
For a list of upcoming Workshops click here
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Labs | posted in Adobe CS6, Angel Oak, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz BW effects 2
I have finished an eBook of images from Charleston using the Topaz Labs software. I am using it as a promotional giveaway to help promote Topaz software and my workshops and would be grateful if you share it with your friends.
To download “A Photographer’s View of Charleston” click on the link below
A Photographers View of Charleston
Charleston is an American treasure, rich in our early history. This beautiful city shows visitors what southern charm and grace were like in the colonies. When you photograph the streets around Battery Park, you capture images of homes and churches that were built before the signing on the Declaration of Independence. Stroll through my collection of favorite images in this eBook.
Topaz Labs software plug-ins for Photoshop and Lightroom were used to give my images the finishing touches that make them sing and make you will feel like you are there.
For a list of upcoming Workshops click here
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Labs, Tuscany photo workshop | posted in 2012 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Photo Contest winners, Ashley River, Audubon Swamp, Azaleas, Battery Park, Black and White, Bonaventure Cemetery, Boneyard, Botany Bay, Capturing Highlights and Shadows, Charleston, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Crape Myrtle, Cypress Trees, Depth of field, Dogwood Tree, Edisto Beach, Foley Beach Pier, Live Oak, Magnolia Plantation, Paul Christopher James, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, Savannah, Savannah Georgia, Sheldon Church ruins, Slave Cabins, Spanish Moss, Topaz BW effects 2, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Clean 3, Topaz Labs, Topaz Simplify, topaz simplify, Wild Rose, Windows, Wisteria, Wrought Iron
On cold winter nights like this I find my thoughts wandering to the warm shooting locations that I have planned for this spring. In late March and early April Charleston emerges from its winter sleep and explodes in vibrant color. Hope you are able to join me Charleston for early an early spring location shoot in some of Americas best gardens.
Southern Charm – Charleston Spring
In lightroom 5.7 I used the Develop module to for a few basic adjustments and then exported Southern Charm into Topaz Clarity to make this image pop.
Southern Charm – Charleston Spring – Raw adj. in lightroom
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Rome photo workshop, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Venice Photo Workshop | posted in Ashley River, Audubon Swamp, Azaleas, Battery Park, Black and White, Bonaventure Cemetery, Boneyard, Botany Bay, Bridge of Angles, Capturing Highlights and Shadows, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Crape Myrtle, Cypress Trees, Depth of field, Dogwood Tree, Edisto Beach, Fall Smoky Mountain photo workshop, Foley Beach Pier, Italian Photographic Workshop, Live Oak, Magnolia Plantation, Michigan photographic workshops, Paul Christopher James, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, Rome Photgraphic Workshop, Sheldon Church ruins, Slave Cabins, Slot Canyon Workshops, Southwest Photo Workshop, Southwest Photographic Workshop Tour, Spanish Moss, Topaz BW effects 2, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Simplify, Tuscan Photo Workkshop, Venice Carnival - Photographic Workshop Tour, Venice Italy Photographic Workshop, Wild Rose, Windows
After teaching last springs Charleston workshop Jonathan sent me a nice email and a few of the great images that he captured while we were on location.
Civil War Memorial
This infrared composition that Jonathan shot in a Charleston graveyard that we visited is amazing.
Old Charleston Church
Hi Paul, Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your workshop. I learned so much on this workshop that I am looking forward to going out with you to Las Vegas next year. I was really touched by the way you welcomed me and Gina into your group even though I was the only shooter you did not leave out the non shooters. It was a pleasure to meet you and learn from you. You are a very gifted photographer and teacher. Here are a couple of images I processed.Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and friendship.
Great Workshop!
Jonathan and Regina Davis
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Labs | posted in 2012 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Photo Contest winners, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Depth of field, Dogwood Tree, Edisto Beach, Fall Smoky Mountain workshop, Foley Beach Pier, Italian Photographic Workshop, Live Oak, Magnolia Plantation, Michigan Photographic Workshop, Nik software, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, Slave Cabins, Slot Canyon Photo Workshop, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smokey Mountain National Park, Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz BW effects 2, Venice Italy Photographic Workshop
This morning Charlie W and I worked on a early morning reflection image he captured during last spring’s workshop in Charleston. Charlie’s composition and exposure were great and we only needed to spend a few minutes working in Lightroom 5.7 to make the image sing.
Live Oaks Charleston processed in Lightroom
On this cold winter night I am looking forward to capturing images and working with clients in late March and early April when Charleston’s spring colors explode.
Live Oaks Charleston unprocessed
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Labs | posted in 2012 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Photo Contest winners, Adobe CS6, Ann Arbor Art Fair, Ashley River, Audubon Swamp, Azaleas, Battery Park, Black and White, Bonaventure Cemetery, Boneyard, Botany Bay, Capturing Highlights and Shadows, Charleston, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Charleston South Carolina, Crape Myrtle, Fall Smoky Mountain photo workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Magnolia Plantation, Magnolia Plantation, Michigan photographic workshops, Nik software, Paul Christopher James, Savannah, Savannah Georgia, Sheldon Church ruins, Slave Cabins, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smoky Mountains National Park, Southwest Photographic Workshop Tour, Spanish Moss, Topaz BW effects 2, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Simplify, Wild Rose, Windows, Wisteria
The churches in and around Charlestons are some of the oldest in our country and the photographic opportunities are amazing. I found the ruins of this old church during my last visit to Charleston and am looking forward to spend more time photographing the grounds during next springs photographic location workshop.
Sheldon Church processed using Nik HDR efex pro 2
To process this image I used the Deep 1 preset in Nik software HDR Efex Pro 2
Sheldon Church processed using Nik HDR efex pro 2
All images need a little post processing. If an image is exposed properly it can be turned into a great image you can hang on your wall in a few minutes. This is the unprocessed raw CR2 file that took me 10 minutes to process.
Canon Raw CR2 file
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Venice Photo Workshop | posted in 2012 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Photo Contest winners, Adobe CS6, Azaleas, Battery Park, Black and White, Bonaventure Cemetery, Boneyard, Botany Bay, Capturing Highlights and Shadows, Charleston, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Crape Myrtle, Cypress Trees, Depth of field, Dogwood Tree, Edisto Beach, Foley Beach Pier, Italian Photographic Workshop, Live Oak, Magnolia Plantation, Michigan photographic workshops, Nik software, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, Savannah, Savannah Georgia, Seagulls, Sheldon Church ruins, Slave Cabins, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Spanish Moss, Topaz BW effects 2, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Simplify, Wild Rose, Windows, Wisteria
Botany Bay_Boneyard South Carolina
Next spring On April 2-3 2015 I am going to be giving a 1 day workshop at Botany Bay also known as the Boneyard just South of Charleston, South Carolina. This will immediately follow the Charleston Spring workshop March 29th through April 2nd 2015. The Bone Yard which is over an hour drive from where we stay in Charleston is too far to drive back and forth for either a sunrise or sunset location shoot. Several clients have been asking to spend time in the Bone Yard and I have decided to schedule a one day class immediately following the Charleston workshop to enjoy this rugged stretch on National Seashore on Edisto Island.
Botany Bay_Boneyard South Carolina
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Labs | posted in Adobe CS6, Audubon Swamp, Battery Park, Boneyard, Botany Bay, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Cypress Trees, Depth of field, Dogwood Tree, Edisto Beach, Foley Beach Pier, Magnolia Plantation, Nik software, Topaz BW effects 2, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Simplify, Wild Rose, Windows, Wisteria
One of the best parts about teaching is seeing the enthusiasm the students have especially when they are capturing great images. This images from the morning shoot at the Audubon Swamp during the Charleston workshop was captured by Elizabeth. Still morning reflections have always been one of my favorites and it was fun to see everyone capturing great images.
Swamp Tree-Charleston
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Leave a comment | posted in Ashley River, Audubon Swamp, Azaleas, Battery Park, Black and White, Capturing Highlights and Shadows, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Cypress Trees, Depth of field, Dogwood Tree, Nik software, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Simplify
